Toronto residents worry about impacts of air show noise on pets and those with PTSD

Detractors of the Canadian International Air Show say the event causes undue stress for those living with PTSD and needless disruptions for people and pets alike.

Labour Day weekend, but they’re also prompting outcry from those who fear the noise from the event does more harm than good.

Detractors of the Canadian International Air Show say the event, a staple of the Canadian National Exhibition featuring military pilots demonstrating their most elaborate loops, rolls and turns, causes undue stress for those living with PTSD and needless disruptions for people and pets alike.

The event showcases professional pilots from the United States Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and others. The roar of the aircraft engines could be heard starting on Thursday when practice days for the show began, prompting several people to describe the noise as deafening and terrifying on social media platforms like Reddit, Facebook and X, formerly Twitter. Some said it routinely caused nightmares for themselves or their family members, and others considered leaving town for the weekend to escape the sounds.

Hundreds of people were still gathered in Coronation Park near the CNE grounds when the show got underway on Saturday, but not all were there to admire the moves.

Anita Presnyak and Anton Babych, originally from Ukraine and living near the CNE site, said some of their friends who are still struggling with memories of war expressed discomfort with the air show and even experienced panic attacks from the noise.

She also said it caused some anxiety for her small black dog, Pixel.

“Immediately, he tries to find me and he runs towards me and sometimes runs into the couch,” Presnyak said.

Dawson Robertson said his American bulldog, Frank, got visibly anxious during the beginning of the air show demonstrations.